Vilsack pens letter to processors on child labor concerns

Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack recently wrote a letter to the meat and poultry industry requesting that companies take steps to prevent or eliminate illegal child labor in the food supply chain. The agency sent the letter to the 18 largest meat and poultry processors, which comprise 70% of the meat and poultry production by volume in the United States.

Vilsack specified actions that industry stakeholders could take, including strong language in contracts to prevent child labor that could result in stronger sanctions, regular unannounced investigations of vendor activity and more effective reporting, monitoring or auditing where needed. Read more